Shields Tavern

Review summary

1. R

   Regina

   Richmond

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Justin, our server, was an excellent waiter. The food was delicious -- from the salad to dessert... NOTHING was terrible. We appreciated the anniversary card from the tavern, too. Thank you, Shields!
   

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2. D

   Don

   Mississippi

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   It has been a few years — pre-Covid, in fact — since we have been back to CW and its restaurants, so it was nice to begin our visit back with Shields Tavern. It has changed its dining approach and menus from ala carte, but still has the same look, ambience and service. It makes you feel like you are back in the late 1700s with outfits, terminology, menu items, and candle lighting throughout. We noticed several people having issues with the menu in other reviews, but if you read the web site or check out the online menu you should not be surprised with a set-price, set-menu dining experience. Sure, having the option for alcoholic beverages with a tavern meal might be ideal, sometimes you can’t control everything. It should not ruin your night, your meal, your experience or your review. Our very able and helpful waiter, Cameron, went over the evening meal menu, describing the courses and everything. It followed just that: soft baked bread with an herb butter; a wonderful mixed greens salad with white cheddar cheese, candied walnuts and apple slices and two delightful dressings; the main course with perfectly fried chicken and/or a unique beef item with a bread based stuffing and a brown Demi glaze gravy, mashed potatoes and mixed veggies; and ending with a strawberry parfait featuring a cinnamon beignet. The portions were plenty and items cooked well — a tasty and filling meal. I always want more bread than most places give, and should have asked for more, and we both wish we had a small plate to put the beignet on so it could be dunked or slathered with the parfait. Otherwise no complaints. The price for two was in line with what you pay at the other CW themed restaurants, and Cameron made it a wonder pre-concert experience. Perhaps they will change the menus options from time to time for returning diners, but nevertheless we will be back and do recommend visiting Shields Tavern.
   

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3. K

   Kathy

   Philadelphia

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 5 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   The Groaning Board dinner was an incredible meal and value in historical Williamsburg. We were fortunate to find a reservation, and the potion was generous and hot and delicious definitely will return!
   

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4. M

   Melanie

   Western NC

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 5 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Our waiter was very attentive and friendly. Ambience was excellent. Food was delicious. 5 stars!*****
   

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5. D

   Dr . Brett

   Richmond

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 5 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Great food and service! It was very friendly! We will be back.
   

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6. P

   Phil

   Atlanta Metro

   3 reviews

   4.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 3

   Party of 8 with kids, and we appreciated they allowed us to get seated before our reservation time.
   

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7. R

   Robert

   Charleston

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 3

   I made a reservation 3 weeks in advance to eat Christmas dinner here. The advertising through Colonial W'burg made it sound like a rather lavish, fixed price affair, which seemed reasonable considering the $85 price plus taxes and gratuity. I was alone and, true to the restaurant sterotype, I was placed right outside of the kitchen, the worst seat in the tavern. Why waste a good table on a single! When the waiter finally came to the table, I was told I should have received a menu when I was first seated and he seemed annoyed that I wasn't already to order. A menu? I thought the lavish menu was determined ahead of time! Turns out, the "lavish menu" was me choosing one of several appetizers, one of 4 entrees, and a dessert, but I had my choice of beverages! For $85?? The appetizer, a mushroom bisque, was better than expected and nicely seasoned. The encrusted rockfish entree had 5 very small mussels in addition around the periphery, plus a stewed bean and vegetable potage all in a shallow bowl. Pretty good. My choice for dessert was bread pudding with apple, caramel and ice cream which was reasonable good, but not outstanding and likely only partially authentic (ice cream). So eveything was serviceable, but nothing was outstanding and not the memory I had hoped for. Lastly, regarding the roaming mintrels, one gentleman walked through briefly playing the 12 Days of Christmas on a guitar. Not exactly unique.
   

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8. F

   Frank

   VIP

   Nashville

   5 reviews

   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Great food in a fantastic environment. Sitting in a historic building, eating historical dishes, and listening to period musicians was an excellent way to spend Christmas. I highly recommend it.
   

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9. S

   Susan

   San Francisco

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Excellent experience during the Christmas lunch . There was also live music
   

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10. T

    Thomas

    Greater Boston

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    Great Xmas meal. People working actually seem happy to be there. All in period outfits including the guy playing guitar and singing Xmas songs. Second year doing. Great experience.
    

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